Folding crate.



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WALTER JAMES, OF BRUSHTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

FOLDING CRATE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 15, 1907.

Application filed August 31,1906. Serial No. 332,770.

'To all Iwhom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALTER JAMES, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Brushton, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Crates, of which the following is a specification, i'eference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to folding or collapsible crates, for the transportation of chickens or other fowl and for merchandise generally.

The object of the invention is to provide a crate which may be folded into small compass when empty for return to the shipper.

The construction of the improvement will be fully described hereinafter in connection with the accompanying drawing which forms a part of this invention, and its novel features will be set forth in the appended claims.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a crate constructed in accordance with the invention, in its unfolded position ready for use7 Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the saine showing one of the locking cleats unfolded and the other one in closed position, and also showing the rear side folded down and the front in unfolded poV sition, Fig. 3 is a side elevation showing the crate in its folded position, Fig. l is an end elevation, Fig. 5 is a detail vertical section, and Fig. 6 is a view, in perspective on slightly enlarged scale of one corner of the crate.

Reference numeral 1 designates the floor or bottom of the crate provided with a continuous vertical edge flange 2. The top of the crate consists of a rectangular' frame 3 and parallel transverse strips 4 connecting the parallel front and rear sides of the frame 3. A suitable hinged door 5 is provided in the top of the crate for the insertion and withdrawal of merchandise, said door being provided with a suitable hasp G engaging over a staple 7 to which a suitable lock may be applied.

The rectangular frame of the top of the crate is connected to the front and rear bars of the bottom by oppositely disposed inclined straps 8 pivotally secured at their lower ends by bolts 9 to the front and rear sides of the bottom and connected to the front and rear bars of the frame 3 by bolts 10 extending through elongated slots 11 formed in the upper ends of the straps 8. This manner of connecting the top and bottom of the crate permits the top to be folded down into parallel relation with the floor or bottom as will be hereinafter again i referred to.

The Vfront and rear sides of the crate comprise parallel horizontal bars 12 connected by parallel vertical slats or bars 13. The lower horizontal bar of each of the sides is hinged to the bottom of the crate as shown at 14 in Fig. 5.

The ends of the crateA comprise parallel horizontal bars 15 and vertical slats 16, the lower horizontal bars 15 being hinged to the fioor of the crate as shown at 17. The outer sides of the horizontal bars 15 of the end of the crate are recessed centrally as at 18 to adapt them to receive the upper horizontal bars 12 of the front and back of the crate when the 'latter are folded down upon the ends of; the crate.

To each of the end bars of the rectangular frame forming the top of the crate is hinged a cleat 19, said cleats being recessed on their under surfaces as at 20 to adapt them to tit recesses 21 formed in the upper' sides of the rectangular frame 3. The hinged cleats 19 are also each formed with a longitudinal recess 22, said recesses being adapted to receive and lock the upper bars of the ends of the crate when the latter are in their unfolded position.

The utility and operation of the device constructed as thus described will be readily understood. To fold the crate the hinged locking cleats 19 are `first thrown outwardly to the position shown at the left end of Fig. 2. This permits the hinged ends of the crate to be folded down upon the bottom as illustrated in Fig. 2, after which the front and rear hinged sides of the crate are folded down upon the ends. The top 4 may then be pushed down to the position shown in Fig. 3, and

the hinged cleats 19 are turned down to rest flush with the upper sides oi the top.

It will be noted that all of the parts of the crate are connected at all times, no removable elements being employed in the structure.

It will be apparent that the crate may be quickly folded or unfolded, and occupies but little space when in its unfolded or contracted position.

That I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is'.-

In a crate, the combination with a floor or bottom, of ends hinged thereto, and adapted to fold down upon the upper surface of said door, front and rear sides also hinged to the Hoor and adapted to be folded upon said ends, a top comprising a rectangular frame and parallel transverse hars, and means for securing said top and bottom consisting of oppositely disposed inclined straps pivotally secured at their lower' ends to the bottom and formed at their' upper ends with elongated slots to receive securing devices projecting from the top, and locking cleats hinged to the ends of the top and recessed on their under surfaces to adapt them to engage the hinged ends of the plate when the latter is in its unfolded position, and to rest flush with the upper surface of the top of the crate `when the latter is folded.

In testimony whereof l aiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

WALTER JAMES.

Witnesses:

MAX H. SRoLovrTz, A. J. TRIGG. 

